Waldorf M Wavetable Synthesizer Overview
Eight-voice polyphonic desktop wavetable synthesizer
With M, we are musically returning to our roots by bringing back classic Microwave and ‘modern’ Microwave II tone generation as a new-generation classic hybrid wavetable synthesizer with an analogue lowpass 24 dB/Oct VCF — SSI 2144 Improved Ladder Type — with resonance and analogue saturation feature, true stereo analogue VCA with panning option, and much more to explore in a desktop-friendly form factor featuring a wide range of unique sounds. Plentiful presets — totalling 2,048 sound programs (divided into 16 banks, each with 128 sounds) — professionally programmed by world- renowned sound designers also include all of the classic Microwave sound sets, such as MW1 Factory Sound Set, MW1 Soundpool 1-5, the fat-sounding Analogue and Bassco, as well as PPG Wave 2.3 sounds cleverly converted for the original Microwave. Moreover, it also features freshly-programmed sounds utilising M’s myriad new features — from true hard Sync (when working in its Modern Microwave II/XT mode) to the ARP (arpeggiator) and MIDI-syncable global LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator).
Two LFOs are generating a periodic waveform with adjustable frequency Rate and Shape that can be used for modulation purposes, are also always at hand. However, unlike other Waldorf synthesizers, there is no modulation matrix in M. Making a conscious design decision to set up M’s modulation facilities directly on the corresponding display page, to paying tribute to the 1989-vintage Microwave.
- OSCILLATORS 2 Wavetable oscillators with independent wavetables and two different tone generation models - classic Waldorf Microwave I model and modern Waldorf Microwave II model. 96 Factory Wavetables + 32 slots for User Wavetables
- FILTER: Analog low-pass 24 dB/Oct VCF (SSI 2144 Improved Ladder Type) with saturation and resonance
- AMPLIFIER: Analog true stereo VCA for each voice with panning option
- ENVELOPES: 4 Envelope Generators; 8 point loopable time/level Wave envelope generator, VCF and VCA ADSR envelopes and a free assignable loopable 4 points time/level envelope
- LFOS: 2 LFOs with different waveforms
- ARPEGGIATOR: 16 preset patterns, chord mode and the ability to synchronise to MIDI clock
- SOUND STORAGE: 2048 Sound programs + 128 Multi programs
- POLYPHONY: 8/16 voices polyphony (16 voices available with the expansion board installed)
- MULTITIMBRALITY: 4 Parts (4 parts can be assigned to 4 individual stereo outputs)
- OUTPUTS: Stereo Main Out, 4 stereo AUX Out, Headphone out with an associated Volume knob
- MIDI: USB 2.0 and DIN (5-pin DIN connector with In/Out/Thru)
- COMPATIBLE WITH CLASSIC WALDORF MICROWAVE I sysex messages (sound bank transfer/sound transfer)
- SD CARD for loading / storing user content as sound banks and wavetables